Checkwriter-inking control means

ABSTRACT

A machine for printing money orders and like instruments including a frame, means defining a printing line, individually adjustable type segment members supported by the frame and having numerical printing characters thereon ranging from zero to numbers greater than zero positionable on the printing line, an inking roller supported for movement into contact with printing characters disposed on the printing line, a platen underlying the printing line and movable to engage an instrument disposed between the platen and printing characters on the printing line, an operating handle movable from a nonprinting to a printing position for effecting operative movement of the inking roller and platen, and control lever means for preventing movement of the inking roller into contact with the printing characters on the printing line unless at least one of the type segment members is positioned such that a printing character thereon greater than zero is disposed on the printing line.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Ardath A. Gopperton Mount Prospect,Ill.

[21] App]. No. 853,715

[22] Filed Aug. 28, 1969 45] Patented Aug. 10, 1971 [73] AssigneeTheodore B. Hirschberg, .Ir.

Chicago, Ill.

[54] CHECKWRITER-INKING CONTROL MEANS Primary Examiner-Aldrich F.Medbery Attorney-Johnson, Dienner, Emrich, Verbeck & Wagner ABSTRACT: Amachine for printing money orders and like instruments including aframe, means defining a printing line, individually adjustable typesegment members supported by the frame and having numerical printingcharacters thereon ranging from zero to numbers greater than zeropositionable on the printing line, an inking roller supported formovement into contact with printing characters disposed on the printingline, a platen underlying the printing line and movable to engage aninstrument disposed between the platen and printing characters on theprinting line, an operating handle movable from a nonprinting to aprinting position for effecting operative movement of the inking rollerand platen, and control lever means for preventing movement of theinking roller into contact with the printing characters on the printingline unless at least one of the type segment members is positioned suchthat a printing character thereon greater than zero is disposed on theprinting line.

PATENTED AUG 1 0 l97| SHEET 2 [IF 5 PATENTEU AUG] 0197! SHEET 3 BF 5PATENTED AUG] 0197:

SHEET UF 5 WNW NW 3.

SHEET 5 OF 5 QM qw w QNN PATENTED AUG 1 0 an CHECKWRITER-INKING CONTROLMEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates tomachines, commonly termed checkwriters, for printing money orders,checks and like instruments, and more particularly to such a machinehaving novel means for preventing inking of the printing charactersunless selected of the printing characters are disposed on the printingline of the checkwriter.

Checkwriters of the character referred to are generally known andextensively used, particularly in commercial businesses. In many of theknown checkwriters the type or printing characters may be selectivelypositioned on a printing line and are inked by means of an inking rollerwhich is moved into contact with the printing characters on the printingline during movement of an operating handle from a nonprinting positionto a printing position. When the operating handle of one of thesemachines is moved from a nonprinting position toward a forward printingposition, either inadvertently or purposely as when carrying the machineby the handle, the inking roller is caused to contact the printingcharacters disposed on the printing line even though a printingoperation is not intended. Such contact of the inking roller with theprinting characters applies an ink coating to the printing characterswhich, when a printing operation is not intended, causes the printingcharacters to become clogged, wastes ink, and tends to abrade theprinting characters with resulting unnecessary wear. There thus exists aneed for such a printing machine having means preventing inking of theprinting characters disposed on the printing line unless selected of theprinting characters are disposed on the printing line preparatory toeffecting a desired printing operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the primary objects of the presentinvention is to provide a machine for printing money orders and likeinstruments, which machine overcomes the disadvantages in the prior artmachines through providing means for preventing unintended contact ofthe inking roller with printing characters disposed on the printing lineof the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide amoney-order-printing machine having a plurality of type segment membersand wherein contact of the inking roller with printing charactersdisposed on the printing line is prevented unless at least one of thetype segment members is positioned such that a selected printingcharacter thereon is disposed on the printing line.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine asdescribed wherein the means for selectively preventing inking of theprinting characters disposed on the printing line includes an operatinglever associated with each of the type segment members and operative tocancel or release the inking-preventing means upon movement of thecorresponding type segment member to a position wherein a selectedprinting character thereon is disposed on the printing line of themachine.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a printingmachine as above described wherein the means for selectively preventinginking includes a trip plate adapted to prevent engagement of the inkingroller with the printing characters when the operating handle is in anonprinting position, and a control lever associated with the trip plateand the operating levers and adapted to release the trip plate to allowinking when at least one of the type segments is positioned such that anumerical printing character thereon greater than zero is disposed onthe printing line.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine forprinting money orders and like instruments which includes a platenmovable upon movement of an operating handle toward a printing positionto engage an instrument disposed between the platen and printingcharacters positioned on the printing line, and which machine furtherincludes a locking arm operatively associated with the platen and typesegment members and adapted to prevent movement of the platen andoperating handle unless at least one of the type segment members ispositioned such that a numerical printing character thereon greater thanzero is disposed on the printing line of the machine.

In furtherance of the above objects of my invention, I provide a machinefor printing money orders and like instruments which includes a frame,means defining a printing line, individually adjustable type segmentmembers supported by the frame and having numerical printing charactersthereon ranging from zero to numbers greater than zero positionable onthe printing line, a platen underlying the printing line in normallyspaced relation therefrom and movable into pressure contact with aninstrument disposed between the platen and printing characters disposedon the printing line, an inking roller normally positioned below theprinting line and movable into pressure contact with printing charactersdisposed on the printing line, an operating handle movable from anonprinting position to a printing position and adapted to effectcontact of the inking roller with printing characters on the printingline and thereafter effect movement of the platen into engagement withan instrument disposed between the platen and the printing line, andmeans including a trip plate and operating levers operatively associatedwith the type segment members for preventing movement of the inkingroller into contact with the printing characters on the printing lineunless at least one of the type segment members is positioned such thata printing character thereon greater than zero is disposed on theprinting line of the machine.

An alternative embodiment employs a locking arm operatively associatedwith the type segment members and the platen support mechanism such thatmovement of the platen and thereby the operating handle is preventedunless at least one of the type segment members is positioned such thata printing character thereon greater than zero is disposed on theprinting line of the machine.

Further objects and advantages of my invention, together with theorganization and manner of operation thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like referencenumerals identify like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a checkwriteremploying the present invention, with the enclosing casing removed tobetter illustrate the trip plate and associated operating mechanismpreventing engagement of the inking roller with printing charactersdisposed on the printing line of the machine;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 22 ofFIG. I looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 ofFIG. I looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a side view generally similar to FIG. I but having thesideplate partially broken away to better illustrate the operatinglevers in cooperation with the type segment members;

FIG. 5 is a side view generally similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating theoperating mechanism in a position to allow movement of the inking rollerinto engagement with the printing characters disposed on the printingline;

FIG. 6 is a partial top view of the checkwriter illustrated in FIG. I,with the operating levers being shown in cooperation with associatedtype segment members;

FIG. 7 is a partial side view of a checkwriter with the near sideplatebroken away, and illustrates an alternative embodiment of means forselectively preventing engagement of the inking roller with printingcharacters disposed on the printing line; and

FIG. 8 is a rear view taken generally alongthe line 8-8 of FIG. 7looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I have illustrated my invention, byway of example, as embodied in a checkwriter generally similar to thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No 3,296,962, issued Jan. 10, 1967, and U.S. Pat.No. 2,697,981, issued Dec. 28, I954, both of which are assigned to theassignee of my present invention. As will become more apparenthereinbelow, my present invention embodies certain improvements over theaforementioned patents and may be used with other suitable checkwritersor analogous machines.

Referring now to the drawings, I have illustrated my invention incombination with a checkwriter, indicated generally at 10, for printingmoney orders and like instruments. The checkwriter comprises a framehaving upstanding sideplates l2 and 14 secured together in parallelspaced relation by cross rods 16 in a known manner. The upstandingsideplates 12 and 14 are of irregular polygonal shape and are providedwith forwardly extending base elements which define with the upperportions a rearwardly extending opening or slot I8 to receive a checkblank or analogous instrument to be printed upon, as is known. Anenclosing casing (not shown) is conventionally adapted to be secured tothe checkwriter frame, the casing being suitably secured to thesideplate I2 through attaching or mounting bosses 20 fixed to the outersurface of sideplate 12. The enclosing casing is adapted to enclose theframe structure and working elements of the checkwriter, the lowerportion of the casing enclosing the sideplate portions below the slot 18providing a support platform or work surface along which the checkblanks are moved during insertion into the slot for printing.

Noting FIG. 2, a cross-shaft 22 is rotatably mounted on and between thespaced sideplates I2 and 14 by means of reduced studs (not shown) at itsopposite ends providing shoulders abutting the inner faces of thesideplates and restraining the cross-shaft against endwise movement. Aplurality of type segmentmembers 24 are mounted upon the cross-shaft 22for individual rotation or turning movement thereon and are maintainedin spaced relation on the cross-shaft by spacing collars in a knownmanner. Each of the type segment members 24 includes an arcuate type bar26 having upon its peripheral printing face a series of printingcharacters selectively positionable through finger grips, one of whichis illustrated at 28 in FIG. 1, to position the printing characters on aprinting line of the checkwriter as will become more apparenthereinbelow, While the printing characters on the peripheral printingfaces of the type bars 26 may be of any desired printing indicia, forpurposes of illustration I provide each of the arcuate type bars with ablank space position and a series of numerical printing charactersranging from zero to nine and arranged in seriatim order in a knownmanner. The leftmost group of five type segment members 24 shown in FIG.2, may comprise conventional dollars and cents printing characters forthe money order to be printed, while the rightmost group of type segmentmembers may comprise similar numerical printing characters of a smailersize than the leftmost group whereby to duplicate the value for whichthe money order is printed at a second location on the money order. Thenumber of type segment members 24 selected for use in the checkwriter 10may be varied as desired, the number of type segment members employedhaving no bearing upon my present invention. Each of the type segments24 comprising the rightmost group of type segments shown in FIG. 2 isconnected to a corresponding one of the leftmost type segments such thatmovement of any one of the leftmost type segments effects acorresponding movement in the associated rightmost type segment in amanner as illustrated more fully in the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No.3,296,962.

A sum" bar 30 is mounted at its upper end upon crossshaft 22 and issecured at its lower end to a guide bar (not shown) extendingtransversely of the main frame defined by the upstanding sideplates I2and 14. A prefix plate 32 is slidably mounted on the lower end of thesum bar 30 and bears on its lower end or printing face a suitable legendsuch as The Sum." During a printing operation, plate 32 is movedinwardly to a position abutting the first or nearest one of the dollarprinting segment members 24 then in printing position in a manner morefully described in the above-referenced Rindfleisch patent. A dependingarm member 34 is suitably mounted on the cross-shaft 22 to allowrotation of the crossshaft and has a lower end portion 36 secured infixed alignment on the printing line of the checkwriter and adapted toreceive thereon an agents slug 38 having identifying printing indicia onthe lower printing surface thereof. The slug 38 is removably secured tothe lower end 36 of arm 34 and has an outwardly extending grip portion40 to allow ready insertion and removal from the checkwriter as isknown. The type segment members 24 may be individually adjusted suchthat selected of the printing characters are positioned in alignmentwith the printing characters on the prefix plate 32 and the agents slug38 and define with the last-mentioned printing characters a printingline for the checkwriter I0.

Noting FIG. 1, taken in conjunction with FIG. 2, an operating handle,indicated in phantom lines at 42 in FIG. I, having a conventional handleportion (not shown) on the outer end is secured in fixed relation to theouter end of a bushing 44 which is rotatably mounted on a stub shaft(not shown) secured to and projecting outwardly in normal relation fromthe sideplate 12 in a manner as described more fully in theabove-referenced Rindfleisch patent. The operating handle 42 is retainedon the bushing 44 through a capnut 46 and spring washer 48. In thismanner, the operating handle 42 may be turned or rotated in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. I, from a normal rearwardnonprinting position to a forward printing position. A cam 50 issuitably secured to the bushing 44 in generally normal relation to theaxis of rotation of the bushing such that movement of the operatinghandle 42 effects a corresponding movement of the cam 50. The plane ofcam 50 is spaced outwardly from the outer surface of the sideplate I2.

Inking means, indicated generally at 52, is supported by the frame ofcheckwriter 10 and is adapted to effect selective inking of printingcharacters disposed on the printing line of the checkwriter duringinitial movement of the operating handle 42 from its rearwardnonprinting position toward its forward printing position. The inkingmeans 52 includes a pair of spaced parallel inking arms 54 and 56 whichare secured on the cross-shaft 22, one inking arm adjacent the innerface of each of the sideplates l2 and I4, respectively. The inking arms54 and 56 are generally similar in configuration and extend downwardlyand forwardly from the shaft 22 as well as rearwardly thereof, though itis not necessary that arm 56 extend rearwardly of the shaft 22 as willbecome more apparent hereinbelow. Each of the inking arms 54 and 56 hasan ink tray supporting or carrying arm 58 pivotally connected to itsinner surface at 60. Each of the ink tray supporting arms 58 includes adepending portion having a forward arm portion 62 and a rearwardlyextending arm portion 64. A pair of parallel transverse cross rods 66are fixedly secured between the ink tray supporting arms 58 to maintainthem in parallel spaced relation. An ink box or tray, indicatedgenerally at 68, is suitably releasably supported by the ink traysupporting arms 58. For this purpose, the ink tray 68 has upstanding endwalls 70 having a transversely extending cross rod 72 supportedtherebetween. The cross rod 72 has and portions extending outwardly fromthe opposed end walls 70 which are received within slots 74 provided ineach of the forward portions 62 of the ink tray supporting arms 58. Eachof the rearwardly extending portions 64 of the ink tray supporting arms58 has a slot 76 therein to receive an outer end portion of a cross rod78 which is removably and rotatably mounted between the end walls 70 ofthe ink tray 68. The cross rod 78 carries a conventional cylindricalinking roller 80 which, with the cross rod 78, is rotatable relative tothe ink tray 68. A pair of spaced hooks 82 (FIG. 2), formed integralwith a thumb plate 84, are pivotally supported on the cross rod 72 suchthat the thumb plate and hook portions are pivotable about the cross rod72 to releasably engage the hooks with cross rod 66 and retain the inktray 68 in assembled relation on the ink tray support arms 58 formovement therewith. The ink tray supporting arms 58, and thereby the inktray 68, are urged in counterclockwise directions about their pivotalaxes 60, as considered in FIG. 1, through coil tension springs 88 havingtheir end por tions suitably secured to connecting pins provided on thecorresponding ink tray supporting arms and to the inking arms 54 and 56.

The inking arm 54 adjacent the sideplate 12 of the checkwriter frameincludes a rearwardly extending portion 90 having an outwardly directedpin 92 secured in normal relation thereto. The pin 92 is receivedthrough an arcuate slot 94 in the sideplate 12 and through an arcuateslot 96 in the cam 50. The arcuate slots 94 and 96 are so positionedthat when the operating handle 42 is moved forwardly toward its printingposition, the ink tray supporting arms 58 and the ink tray 68 will bemoved forwardly. A cylindrical roller 98 having a slightly largerdiameter outer end portion 100 is secured to the outer end of the crossrod 78 adjacent the sideplate 12 such that the roller 98 engages a camsurface 102 on the sideplate 12 in rolling relation during forwardmovement of the ink tray 68. The cam 50 has a lobe portion 104 adaptedto engage the end portion 100 of the roller 98 and hold the inkingroller 80 out of contact with the printing characters disposed on theprinting line of the checkwriter when the operating lever 42 is in itsrearward nonprinting position. As the cam 50 is rotatable with theoperating lever 42, initial forward movement of the operating handletoward its printing position serves to remove the lobe 104 from itsholding position with the roller 100 thereby allowing movement of theinking roller 80 into pressure contact with the printing charactersdisposed on the printing line. A suitable notch or relief 106 isprovided in the sideplate 12 to allow upward movement ofthe roller 98during inking of the printing characters. The above-described inkingmeans 52 is similar in structure and operation to the inking meansdescribed in my copending application, Case 10. Ser. No. 819,924 filedApr. 28, 1969 and assigned to the assignee of my present invention.

An operating link 108 is pivotally connected at its forward end througha pivot pin 110 to the lower forward portion of the inner surface of cam50. The rearward end of link 108 is pivotally connected to a crosspintle shaft 112 which forms a portion of a toggle link assembly,indicated generally at 114. The toggle link assembly 114 includes anupper transverse leaf 116 pivotally supported between the upstandingsideplates 12 and 14 through outwardly extending bosses 118 formedintegral with or otherwise suitably secured to the transverse leaf andwhich bosses are received through appropriate apertures in thesideplates. The lower end of the toggle leaf 116 is pivotally connectedto the pintle shaft 112, the opposite outer end portions of which arereceived within parallel oppositely disposed arcuate slots 120 in thesideplates 12 and 14. The arcuate slots 120 are concentric about thepivot axis of the out wardly extending bosses 118 in a known manner. Apair of spaced opposed links 122 (FIG. 1) are connected to the oppositeends of the pintle shaft 112 through last motion connec tions and havetheir ends opposite the pintle shaft pivotally connected to the rearwardend portions of corresponding platen support arms 124 through connectingpins 126. The platen support arms 124 are rockably mounted on a crossshaft 128 extending between and mounted at its opposite ends in thelower portions of the spaced sideplates 12 and 14. The platen supportarms 124 serve to support a platen 130 on the forward ends thereof, theplaten extending generally transver sely of the frame defined by thesideplates 12 and 14 in a known manner. A coil tension spring 132 isassociated with each of the platen support arms 124 through having oneend connected to the corresponding connecting pin 126 and the other endconnected to the associated sideplate 12 or 14 in a manner such that thetension springs 132 urge the rearward ends of the platen support armsupwardly and maintain the toggle link assembly 114 in a collapsedposition when the operating handle 42 is in its rearward nonprintingposition. it will be understood that forward movement of the operatinghandle 42 from its nonprinting position effects rocking movement of theplaten support arms 124 and upward movement of the platen intoengagement with an instrument disposed between the platen and printingcharacters positioned on the printing line of the checkwriter.

The structural elements of the checkwriter 10 thus far described are ofgenerally known construction, being disclosed in the referenced US Pat.No. 3,296,962 and No. 2,697,981, and in my copending application. Case10. Ser. No. 819,924 filed Apr. 28, 1969. As noted above, one of theprimary objects of my present invention is to provide means forpreventing contact of the inking roller 80 with printing charactersdisposed on the printing line of the checkwriter unless at least one ofthe type segment members 24 is positioned such that a numerical printingcharacter thereon greater than zero is disposed on the printing line.For example. the embodiment of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-6prevents upward movement of the inking roller 80 into pressure contactwith printing characters disposed on the printing line when theoperating handle 42 is moved from its rearward nonprinting positiontoward its forward printing position with all of the type segmentmembers 24 positioned such that the blank positions thereon or the zeroprinting characters are disposed on the printing line of thecheckwriter, it being understood that printing ofa money order or likeinstrument for a zero amount is not a conventional business practice.

To this end, 1 provide means, indicated generally at 140, for preventingmovement of the inking roller 80 into contact with printing charactersdisposed on the printing line of the checkwriter unless at least one ofthe type segment members 24 is positioned such that a printing characterthereon greater than zero is disposed on the printing line. The meansincludes a trip plate 142 pivotally supported on an outer reduceddiameter end portion 144 of the cross-shaft 22 adjacent the outersurface of the sideplate 12. The trip plate 142 is retained on the shaftend 144 through a suitable snapring 146 and includes a downwardly andrearwardly extending finger portion 148 having a lower edge surface 150adapted to engage the cylindrical roller 98 and prevent upward movementof the inking roller 80 into contact with the printing charactersdisposed on the printing line when the trip plate 142 and inking means52 are disposed in their normal positions as illustrated in FIG. 1. Theplanar configuration of the rearwardly extending finger portion 148 ofthe trip plate is such as to allow the trip plate to move to itsrearward home position as illustrated in FIG. 1 without engaging orinterfering with the outwardly extending grip portion 40 of the agentsslug 38. The trip plate 142 is urged in a counterclockwise pivotal orrotational direction, considered in FIG. 1, about the pivot axis 144 bya coil tension spring 152 having one end attached to a connecting pin154 on the trip plate and the op posite end attached to a control leveras more fully described hereinbelow. The extent of counterclockwisemovement of the trip plate 142 is limited by a stop pin or boss 156secured to the outer face of the sideplate l2 and received through acircular opening 158 in the trip plate. The opening 158 is of a size andlocation such that the peripheral edge defining the opening engages thepin 156 and limits counterclockwise rotation of the trip plate to theposition illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the finger portion 148 thereofunderlies the printing line of the checkwriter, the opening being largeenough to allow clockwise rotation of the trip plate an extent to removethe finger portion 148 from its position underlying the printing line.

The trip plate 142 has a trip pawl 160 rotatably supported thereonthrough a stub shaft 162 suitably secured to the trip plate in normalrelation thereto. The trip pawl is retained on the stub shaft 162through a conventional snapring 164. As will become more apparenthereinbelow, the trip pawl 160 is movable between a first positionwherein movement of the operating handle 42 towards its printingposition is ineffective to remove the finger portion 148 of the tripplate from its blocking position with the inking roller, as illustratedin FIG. 1, and a second position wherein movement of the operatinghandle toward its printing position causes the trip pawl and trip plateto be rotated removing the finger portion 148 from its blocking positionthereby allowing movement of the inking roller into contact withprinting characters disposed on the printing line. Noting FIG. 1, takenin conjunction with FIGS. 4 and 5, the trip pawl 160 has a recessedportion 166 defined by a peripheral edge surface which cooperates with astepped pin 168 to define the first and second positions of the trippawl. The trip pawl includes a rearwardly extending arm portion 170having a generally semicircular peripheral edge surface spaced radiallyfrom the axis of rotation 162 an extent such that when the trip pawl isin its first position as illustrated in FIG. 1, the extending armportion 170 cannot be engaged by a roller 172 which is rotatably mountedon a plate 174 suitably secured to or formed integral with the cam 50for rotation therewith. The planar configuration of the trip plate 142is such that the roller 172 will not directly engage the trip plateduring movement of the operating lever 42 from its nonprinting positionto its forward printing position, nor during return to its nonprintingposition. The trip pawl 160 includes a forwardly extending arm portion176 which rotatably supports a roller 178 on the outer surface thereof.The roller 178 is adapted for engagement with a downwardly extending armportion 180 of a control lever 182 movable between first and secondpositions as will be described more fully below. A coil tension spring184 is suitably connected to a connecting pin 186 on trip pawl 160 andthe stepped pin 168 and serves to urge the trip pawl in a clockwisedirection toward its second position.

The control lever 182 is pivotally supported on the outer surface of thesideplate 12 through a stepped cylindrical stub shaft 188 having itsouter end receiving the upper end portion of the coil tension spring 152whereby to urge the trip plate 142 in a counterclockwise direction aboutits pivot axis 144 as above described. The control lever 182 is retainedon the boss 188 through a suitable snap washer 190. A connecting link192 is pivotally connected to the control lever 182 through a suitableconnecting pin 194 and has its opposite end pivotally connected to abellcrank lever 196 through a connecting pin 198. The bellcrank lever196 is in turn pivotally supported on the outer surface of sideplate 12through a stub shaft 200, the bellcrank lever being retained thereonthrough a suitable snapring 202. The bellcrank lever 196 has a lower endportion 204 which overlies an opening 206 in the sideplate 12 and isconnected to an outwardly extending pin 208 through an elongated slotconnection 210. The pin 208 is secured in normal relation to the lowerend of a generally arcuately shaped arm 212 which is pivotally supportedon a crossshaft 214 supported by and between the spaced sideplates 12and 14 in transverse relation thereto. A second generally arcuatelyshaped arm 216 is pivotally supported on shaft 214 and maintainedthereon in lateral spaced relation to arm 212 through parallel tie rods218 and 220 having the arms 212 and 216 fixedly secured to the endsthereof such that movement of the tie rod 218 upwardly or downwardlyabout the cross rod 214 ef fects a corresponding pivotal movement of thearms 212 and 216.

Noting FIG. 3, taken in conjunction with FIGS. 4-6, a plurality ofoperating levers 222 are pivotally supported in spaced relation on thecross rod 214 generally adjacent the type segment members 24 having thesmaller size numerical printing characters thereon such that anoperating lever is associated with each of the adjacent type segmentmembers. Suitable spacers are provided on the cross-shaft 214 tomaintain the operating levers 222 in spaced relation such that thelevers are received between the associated type segment members 24, theoperating levers and spacers being retained in fixed relationlongitudinally on the cross-shaft 214 through collar stops 224 in aconventional manner. Each of the operating levers 222 includes aforwardly extending arcuate portion. 226 having a recess 228 in theforward edge surface thereof adapted to receive a drive stud or stubshaft 230 fixedly secured to the adjacent surface of the correspondingtype segment member 24. The arcuate length or extent of each of therecesses 228 is such that the corresponding drive stud 230 on theassociated type segment member 24 will he received within the recesswhen the type segment member is positioned such that its blank portionor zero printing character is disposed on the printing line of thecheckwriter. Each of the operating levers 222 has a shoulder portion 232disposed rearwardly of the cross-shaft 214 and adapted to underlie theupper tie rod 218. A tension spring 234 is secured to the tie rod 218and a connecting pin 236 fixed to the inner surface of the sideplate 12to urge the tie rod 218 against the shoulder portions 232 of theoperating levers 222 such that the arcuate portions 226 of the operatinglevers are biased against the associated drive studs 230 on the typesegment members.

Having described the elements comprising the embodiment of my inventionillustrated in FIGS. l-6, its operation will now be briefly described.When the checkwriter is not being used for printing money orders andlike instruments. the type segment members 24 are normally positionedthrough the as sociated finger grips 28 such that the blank positions orzero printing characters on the type segment members are disposed on theprinting line of the checkwriter. When so positioned, the drive studs230 on the type segment members 24 are received within the associatedrecesses 228 in the operating levers 222 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Withthe drive studs 230 disposed within the corresponding recesses 228, thetension spring 234 urges the arm 216 in a clockwise direction, asconsidered in H0. 4, the extent of such rotation being determined byengagement of the tie bar 218 with the shoulders 232 on the operatinglevers 222. In this position, the arm 212 and pin 208 urge the bellcranklever 196 in a clockwise direction, as considered in FIG. 1, to effect acorresponding clockwise movement of the control lever 182 through theoperating link 192. With the control lever 182 in the position asillustrated in FIG. 1, the leg portion 180 thereof engages the roller178 and maintains the trip pawl in its first position wherein the armportion cannot be engaged by the roller 172 when the operating lever 42is moved from its rearward nonprinting position toward its forwardprinting position. With the trip pawl 160 so positioned, movement of theoperating handle 42 toward its printing position will be ineffective torotate the trip plate 142 and finger portion 148 forwardly to allowupward movement of the inking roller 80 toward the printing line of thecheckwriter. Thus, it can be seen that when the type segments 24 arepositioned such that their blank or zero printing characters aredisposed on the printing line, the trip plate 142, trip pawl 160,control lever 182, operating link 192, bellcrank lever 196, the assemblyincluding the spaced arms 212 and 216 and associated tie rods 218 and220, and the operating levers 222 provide means for preventing movementof the inking roller 80 into contact with printing characters disposedon the printing line upon movement of the operating handle 42 from itsnonprinting position toward its forward printing posi tion. Such inkingpreventing means precludes the possibility of inking the printingcharacters whereby to waste ink, gum up the printing characters. andfurther abrade them when there is no intent to effect printing of amoney order or like instrument as during inadvertent movement of theoperating handle or in tentional movement thereof as when carrying thecheckwriter by the handle.

When it is desired to effect printing of a money order or likeinstrument with at least one of the type segment members 24 moved to aposition wherein a printing character thereon greater than zero isdisposed on the printing line, the drive stud 230 associated with thetype segment member so positioned will move arcuately downwardly out ofthe recess 228 in the associated operating lever 222 whereby to effectcoun terclockwise rotation of the associated operating lever about thecross rod 214 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Such counterclockwise rotationof at least one of the operating levers 222 causes its associatedshoulder 232 to engage the upper tie rod 218 and effect counterclockwisemovement of the arm 212 about the cross-shaft 214. Counterclockwisemovement of the arm 212 causes the bellcrank lever 196 to be rotatedabout its pivotal axis 200 in a counterclockwise direction to effect acorresponding counterclockwise rotation of the control lever 182 aboutits pivotal axis 188 through control lever 192. Such counterclockwiserotation of the control lever 182 effects movement thereof to a positionas shown in FIG. wherein the depending arm 180 is removed fromengagement with the roller 178. Removal of the arm portion 180 fromengagement with the roller 178 allows the tension spring 184 to effectclockwise rotation of the trip pawl 160 to its second position whereinthe peripheral surface defining the recess 166 engages the pin 168. Withthe trip pawl in its second position. the extending arm portion 170 isdisposed in the path of travel of the roller 172 on the plate 174secured to the cam 50. In this position, forward movement of theoperating handle 42 toward its printing position will effect engagementof the roller 172 with the arm portion 170 of the trip pawl and cause aforward movement of the trip plate 142 about its pivotal axis 144whereby to remove the finger portion 148 of the trip plate from itsposition overlying the roller 98 on the outer end of the inking roller80. Removal of the finger portion 148 from its position underlying theprinting line of the checkwriter allows the inking roller 80 to be movedupwardly through upward pivotal movement of the ink tray supporting arms58 about their pivotal axes 60 due to the tension springs 88 whereby tomove the inking roller 80 upwardly toward the printing line of thecheckwriter. Thus, it can be seen that my present invention preventsinking of the inking roller with the printing characters disposed on theprinting line of the checkwriter unless at least one of the type segmentmembers is positioned such that a printing character thereon greaterthan zero is disposed on the printing line of the checkwriter.

With the trip plate 142 and trip pawl 160 having configurations asshownand described, it can be seen that after the operating handle 42 hasbeen moved to its forward printing position with the control lever 182positioned as shown in FIG. 5, the trip plate 142 will return to aposition wherein the finger portion 148 underlies the printing linewhereby to prevent re-inking of the printing characters disposed on theprinting line during return of the inking means 52 to its home positionpreparatory to a subsequent printing operation.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of my invention whichincludes novel means for preventing engagement of the inking roller withprinting characters disposed on the printing line of thecheckwriter'unless selected of the printing characters are disposed onthe printing line. The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 findsparticular application with checkwriters which do not utilize a tripplate 142 and trip pawl 160 for preventing re-inking of the printingcharacters disposed on the printing line during return movement of theinking roller to its home" position after having initially inked theprinting characters during a printing operation.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 utilizes aplurality of operating levers 222 associated with the type segmentmembers 24 through drive studs 230 in similar fashion to theabove-described operating levers described with respect to FIGS. 1-6.Similarly, the laterally spaced parallel arms 212 and 216 and the tierods 218 and 220 are supported for pivotal movement about the cross rod214 as above described. The lower end of the arcuate arm 212 has a stubshaft or pin 240 affixed in normal relation thereto and extendingoutwardly into the opening 206 in the sideplate 12 of the checkwriterframe. The pin 240 is received within an elongated slot 242 of a lockarm 244. The lock arm 244 is pivotally supported on a cross'shaft 246suitably secured to and between the sideplates 12 and 14 in transverserelation thereto. The forward end of the lock arm 244 is provided with agenerally radial recess 248 of a radius equal to that of theabove-described cross pintle 112. When the type segment members 24 ofthe checkwriter are positioned such that their blank or zero printingcharacters are disposed on the printing line of the checkwriter, theassociated operating levers 222 will be disposed as shown in FIG. 7 withthe arm 212 and pin 240 effecting movement of the lock arm 244 to aposition wherein the arcuate recess 248 on the forward end thereofengages the cross pintle 112. In this position, movement of theoperating handle 42 toward its printing position is prevented due to thelock arm 244 preventing rearward movement of the pintle shaft 112 as isrequired for normal printing operations. Prevention of forward movementof the operating handle 42 prevents operating movement of the inkingarms 54 and ink tray supporting arms 58 and thereby upward movement ofthe inking roller 80.

Movement of any one of the type segment members 24 of the checkwriterillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 to a position wherein a printing characterthereon greater than zero is disposed on the printing line of thecheckwriter will effect counterclockwise rotation of the associatedoperating lever 222 about its pivotal axis 214 whereby to effectcounterclockwise movement of the arm 212 through engagement of thecorresponding lever shoulder 232 with the upper tie rod 218.Counterclockwise rotation of the arm 212 effects clockwise rotation ofthe lock arm 244 about its pivotal axis 246 to remove the recess 248from the cross pintle 112 and allow rearward movement of the toggle linkassembly upon forward movement of the operating handle 42 toward itsprinting position. It can thus be seen that the lock arm 244 inconjunction with the operating levers 222 and drive studs 230 providesmeans for preventing contact of the inking roller with the printingcharacters disposed on the printing line of the checkwriter unless atleast one of the type segment members is positioned such that a printingcharacter thereon greater than zero is so disposed on the printing line.

While 1 have described the operating levers 222 as being independentlymovable about the cross-shaft 214 through movement of the associatedtype segment members 24 and their drive studs 230,.it will be understoodthat the operating levers 222 may be interconnected such that movementof any one of the designated type segment members to a position whereina printing character thereon greater than zero is disposed on theprinting line will effect movement of all of the operating levers topositions as described above with respect to a single independentlymovable operating lever 222.

Moreover, while 1 have described the type segment members 24 as-havingnumerical printing characters thereon, it will be understood that myinvention may be utilized with any desired printing indieia provided onthe type bars 26 of the type segment members wherein it is desired thatthe inking roller be prevented from upward movement toward the printingline of the checkwriter unless at least one or more of the type segmentmembers are moved to positions wherein selected printing indicia aredisposed on the printing line of the checkwriter.

While 1 have described and illustrated preferred embodiments of myinvention, it will be understood that changes and modifications may bemade therein without departing from my invention in its broader aspects.

lclaim:

1. In a machine for printing money orders and like instruments, thecombination comprising, a frame, means defining a printing line, typesegment members supported by said frame and having printing characterspositionable on said printing line, each of said type segment membershaving a zero printing character and at least one numerical printingcharacter greater than zero, inking means including an inking roller normallyspaced from said printing characters and movable into contacttherewith, an operating handle supported by said frame and movablebetween a nonprinting position and a printing position for effecting aprinting operation, means operatively associated with said operatinghandle and said inking means to effect movement of said inking rollerinto contact with printing characters disposed on said printing lineduring movement of said operating handle toward its printing position,and means supported by said frame for preventing movement of said inkingroller into contact with said printing characters unless at least one ofsaid type segment members is positioned such that a printing characterthereon greater than zero is disposed on said printing line.

2. The combination of claim I wherein said last-mentioned means includesmeans to selectively prevent said inking roller from contacting saidprinting characters throughout movement of said operating handle fromits nonprinting position to its printing position and during return toits nonprinting position.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said last-mentioned means includesa trip plate pivotally supported by said frame and selectivelyoperatively associated with said operating handle, said trip platehaving a projection thereon adapted to prevent movement of said inkingroller into engagement with said printing characters when said operatinghandle is in its nonprinting position, said trip plate being selectivelymovable to a position to allow engagement of said inking roller withsaid printing characters upon movement of said operating handle towardits printing position, and means preventing movement of said trip plateto said last-mentioned position unless at least one of said type segmentmembers is moved to a position wherein a printing character thereongreater then zero is disposed on said printing line.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said tripplatc-movc menbpreventingmeans includes an operating lever operatively associated with eachofsaid type segment members, each of said operating levers being movableupon movement of the associated type segment member to a positionwherein a printing character thereon greater than zero is disposed onsaid printing line to effect cancellation of saidinkingroller-movement-preventing means whereby to allow movement of saidinking roller into contact with said printing characters during movementof said operating handle from its nonprinting position toward itsprinting position.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said trip plate includes trip pawlmeans thereon cooperable with said operating handle and movable betweena first position wherein movement of said operating handle isineffective to move said trip plate, and a second position operable bysaid operating handle such that movement of said handle toward itsprinting position effects movement of said trip plate to a positionallowing en gagement of said inking roller with said printingcharacters, and wherein said trip-platc-movement-preventing meansincludes a control lever operatively associated with said trip pawlmeans and said operating levers such that said control lever maintainssaid trip pawl means in said first position unless at least one of saidtype segment members is moved to a position wherein a printing characterthereon greater than zero is disposed on said printing line.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said last-mentioned means includesmeans preventing movement of said operating handle from its nonprintingposition to its printing position 7. The combination of claim 1including platen means supported by said frame and movable into pressurecontact with an instrument disposed between said platen means andprinting characters disposed on said printing line, said platen meansbeing operatively associated with said operating handle such thatmovement of said operating handle from its nonprinting position effectsmovement of said platen means into pressure contact with an instrumentdisposed between said platen means and said printing characters.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said means for preventing movementof said inking roller into contact with printing characters disposed onsaid printing line includes a lock arm operatively associated with saidplaten means and said type segment members, said lock arm being movablebetween a first position preventing movement of said platen means andsaid operating handle toward their printing positions and a secondposition releasing said platen means and said operating handle formovement toward their operating positions.

9. The combination of claim 8 including means operativcly associatedwith said lock arm and said type segment members and operative tomaintain said lock arm in said first position unless at least one ofsaid type segment members is positioned such that a printing characterthereon greater than zero is disposed on said printing linev 10 Thecombination of claim 8 wherein said means for preventing movement ofsaid inking roller into contact with said printing character furtherincludes operating lever means operatively associated with said typesegment members and said lock arm, said operating lever means beingmovable between a first position effecting said locking position of saidlock arm and a second position cancelling said lock arm from saidlocking position when at least one of said type segment members ispositioned such that a printing character thereon greater than zero isdisposed on said printing line so as to allow movement of said operatinghandle from its nonprinting position to its printing positionv

1. In a machine for printing money orders and like instruments, thecombination comprising, a frame, means defining a printing line, typesegment members supported by said frame and having printing characterspositionable on said printing line, each of said type segment membershaving a zero printing character and at least one numerical printingcharacter greater than zero, inking means including an inking rollernormally spaced from said printing characters and movable into contacttherewith, an operating handle supported by said frame and movablebetween a nonprinting position and a printing position for effecting aprinting operation, means operatively associated with said operatinghandle and said inking meAns to effect movement of said inking rollerinto contact with printing characters disposed on said printing lineduring movement of said operating handle toward its printing position,and means supported by said frame for preventing movement of said inkingroller into contact with said printing characters unless at least one ofsaid type segment members is positioned such that a printing characterthereon greater than zero is disposed on said printing line.
 2. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said last-mentioned means includes meansto selectively prevent said inking roller from contacting said printingcharacters throughout movement of said operating handle from itsnonprinting position to its printing position and during return to itsnonprinting position.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein saidlast-mentioned means includes a trip plate pivotally supported by saidframe and selectively operatively associated with said operating handle,said trip plate having a projection thereon adapted to prevent movementof said inking roller into engagement with said printing characters whensaid operating handle is in its nonprinting position, said trip platebeing selectively movable to a position to allow engagement of saidinking roller with said printing characters upon movement of saidoperating handle toward its printing position, and means preventingmovement of said trip plate to said last-mentioned position unless atleast one of said type segment members is moved to a position wherein aprinting character thereon greater then zero is disposed on saidprinting line.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein saidtrip-plate-movement-preventing means includes an operating leveroperatively associated with each of said type segment members, each ofsaid operating levers being movable upon movement of the associated typesegment member to a position wherein a printing character thereongreater than zero is disposed on said printing line to effectcancellation of said inking-roller-movement-preventing means whereby toallow movement of said inking roller into contact with said printingcharacters during movement of said operating handle from its nonprintingposition toward its printing position.
 5. The combination of claim 4wherein said trip plate includes trip pawl means thereon cooperable withsaid operating handle and movable between a first position whereinmovement of said operating handle is ineffective to move said tripplate, and a second position operable by said operating handle such thatmovement of said handle toward its printing position effects movement ofsaid trip plate to a position allowing engagement of said inking rollerwith said printing characters, and wherein saidtrip-plate-movement-preventing means includes a control leveroperatively associated with said trip pawl means and said operatinglevers such that said control lever maintains said trip pawl means insaid first position unless at least one of said type segment members ismoved to a position wherein a printing character thereon greater thanzero is disposed on said printing line.
 6. The combination of claim 1wherein said last-mentioned means includes means preventing movement ofsaid operating handle from its nonprinting position to its printingposition.
 7. The combination of claim 1 including platen means supportedby said frame and movable into pressure contact with an instrumentdisposed between said platen means and printing characters disposed onsaid printing line, said platen means being operatively associated withsaid operating handle such that movement of said operating handle fromits nonprinting position effects movement of said platen means intopressure contact with an instrument disposed between said platen meansand said printing characters.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein saidmeans for preventing movement of said inking roller into contact withprinting characters disposed on said printing line includes a lock armoperatively associated with said plAten means and said type segmentmembers, said lock arm being movable between a first position preventingmovement of said platen means and said operating handle toward theirprinting positions, and a second position releasing said platen meansand said operating handle for movement toward their operating positions.9. The combination of claim 8 including means operatively associatedwith said lock arm and said type segment members and operative tomaintain said lock arm in said first position unless at least one ofsaid type segment members is positioned such that a printing characterthereon greater than zero is disposed on said printing line.
 10. Thecombination of claim 8 wherein said means for preventing movement ofsaid inking roller into contact with said printing character furtherincludes operating lever means operatively associated with said typesegment members and said lock arm, said operating lever means beingmovable between a first position effecting said locking position of saidlock arm and a second position cancelling said lock arm from saidlocking position when at least one of said type segment members ispositioned such that a printing character thereon greater than zero isdisposed on said printing line so as to allow movement of said operatinghandle from its nonprinting position to its printing position.